Banded Pigeon Found - Assistance Please

[biophiliac]

We're having some success!!!!!!

Do tell more!

 

[3bird]

Do tell more!

We put a table next to the door and a box on the table that was the same height as the bottom of the door. On the first day, Pal went right in to eat. Mixed success with trails of sunflower seeds on subsequent attempts...but progress!!!!!

 

[WVduckchick]

 

[3bird]

A pigeon update on Pal and Pen: We were aways for a week, and while we were gone, two eggs were laid (one each day over two days)! So yay! First eggs and confirmation that at least one of our pidges is a female.

Pal seemed to be spending more time on the nest according to our amazing pigeon/duck/cat sitters, but I understand both males and females will share those duties. We added "stuff" (twigs, q-tips, paper scraps, cardboard, etc.) and they gathered it and added it to the woven nest they already have. For the first time ever, they were snuggling and grooming each other.

They were not having free flight time while we were away. When we got back a couple days after the eggs appeared, we offered them free flight time (with the ability to come and go). Pal came right out but Pen stayed a little closer to the nest. They both went in on their own much earlier than usual. It was interesting to note that Pen, with whom I have a "special" relationship, was not really that into me. While Pen would land on me and eventually did some grooming, there was no interest in pats or snuggles, and Pen's beak, which would usually get jet black when I came around, didn't change color. Also, Pen did not exhibit the behviour that we call "being a shark," where the feathers on the back kind of stick up, usually indicating it's time for pats. We assumed this meant that Pen and Pal had broken through a milestone and bonded.

In subsequent days, however, both pidges would leave the nest for extended periods, and the nest building activities kind of stopped. Then yesterday, about a week after the first egg appeared, Pen started doing the shark and wanted pats from me. Then a third egg appeared.

So.....what do you think is going on? Do we have two girls? Is one bird laying more because she senses the other eggs are not viable (we replaced their eggs with fake eggs)? Also, what should be using for a calcium supplement? We use crushed oyster shells for the ducks, but I assume those are too sharp for the pidges?

Any thoughts, advice, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much~

 

[biophiliac]

Well that is interesting news! The third egg makes me suspect two hens. A forth egg would pretty much confirm it. I have a pair of hens and when one lays the other also produces 2 eggs within a week or so. They take turns incubating.

 

[3bird]

Well that is interesting news! The third egg makes me suspect two hens. A forth egg would pretty much confirm it. I have a pair of hens and when one lays the other also produces 2 eggs within a week or so. They take turns incubating.

I forgot to add (actually my wife reminded me!) that the third egg laid yesterday was NOT in the nest. Do you give supplemental calcium?

 

[biophiliac]

I forgot to add (actually my wife reminded me!) that the third egg laid yesterday was NOT in the nest. Do you give supplemental calcium?

I do provide oyster shell along with their grit, free choice. Don't know what it means that the third egg was laid outside the nest.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Don't know what it means that the third egg was laid outside the nest.

It is very unusual for pigeons to lay more than 2 eggs. @biophiliac I would suspect a lesbian pairing personally also.

 

[3bird]

I do provide oyster shell along with their grit, free choice. Don't know what it means that the third egg was laid outside the nest.

Thanks! So same oyster shells we give our ducks? Is it too sharp? I seem to recall someone saying sharp can be a problem. If we can use it, should we mix it with the grit or put it in a separate container? Thanks again!

 

[biophiliac]

Thanks! So same oyster shells we give our ducks? Is it too sharp? I seem to recall someone saying sharp can be a problem. If we can use it, should we mix it with the grit or put it in a separate container? Thanks again!

I bought a bag of crushed oyster shells for chickens and at first I thought it was too large so I crushed it a bit more. Then I got lazy, having noticed there was much variation in size of the pieces... I thought - Let them pick thru and find the right size. Well, they use it just fine. Even the big pieces disappear.
So the ans is yes, no, no, doesn't matter.